Doughnut cooking art



OC 12, 1948. c. J. HoRNKol-u. ET AL 2,450,962

DOUGHNUT COOKING' ART Filed May 28, 1945 A 2 Sheets-Sheet l @ya mw@ Oct. 12, 1948. c. J. HoRNKoHL. ET AL 2,450,962

DOUGHNUT COOKING ART Filed May 28, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 24 25 jg J9 Patented ct. 12, 1948 STATES PATENT oFFicE Cari J, 'Himiimlil and Freeland H. nsliachicago, Ill.; sidf Leslie assignor to 'said Hornkohl Application May 2s,'1945,5s'eria1 No. 596,198

` (C1. fio-409) hisinventionireiates to' doughnut cooking art am'tmore particularly tothe cooking or frying of the food product known 'as "raised doughnuts wl'iiclrcomprlse yeast raised sweet-goods doughV as distinguished from' the cake orvpastry dough'from the 'more common varietyof doughnuts are t ,A

V'It' well known that'such `raised'doughnuts caniotb'eadvantageoilsly made by the'conventionai doughnut makingmachinery'since, for one the raised .'doughnuts'must be permitted to or raise ater being -formedv into doughnut 'audbf'bre or cooked, and for production of raised 'doughnuts it is de'- silnbletliat-the raised dughbe handled as little as-ipssible after mising,which"renders they usual rnll'diiiie2 handling" undesirable for this product. @tithe-'saine timegtlie'ndividual frying of raised doughnuts is prohibitivein cost for large' scale' D'duetoin. Y,

vIlifis an'bject oiy presentinvention' to promensby which a quantity o'f suefi' raised 'doughnuts may be cooked at one timepvvth @minimum of' handling of the dough"- nuts between the proofing and trying steps, and contributing isothtoreruced cost and to the plieduefien ola'hgiily' and' tender food product which closely approximates home` cooking 'raised are individually hmlle, shd'fin 'Whiehfgrese absorption is elimineren uaf-ix'narkediy minimized.

Thevinven'tlonwfill, 'be understood by reference' toftle'aoeoinpanying-drawings, which are made apart of 'this speciiieatiomand the foregoing and' ottfe'robioets and" advantages `will be apparent fl'nffo'llwirl'g' desfiptioh, taken together wientteldrawines; 'slroitiingE an illustrative emt 2 Onthe'lne 3 3 V0f el'iglibe 2, and showing in dotted lines' an alternative position of one of the parts.

Referring in detail to the illustrative construction shown in the drawings, the present invention is adapted to' beY used with a kettle or other cook-A ing utensil' IU which is intended to contain a lcooliii'g' liquid suohas hot grease or oil', made; for'e'x'- ample, from lard or a vegetable' cooking oom`. pound, the kettle I0 thus providing' a hot uuid reservoir for cooking or frying the doughnuts by the usual otation' method, the doughnutsn'or-V mally 'oating on the hot'deep fat. The liquid may be heated and: maintainedy hot by any approprlat'e heating means` such'L as, for example, by thehot Ilu'id coil pipes II (Fig. 3). In the embodiinent here illustrated the kettle I0 may commanly have a marginal nange I2 about its top.

In the present embodiment, the expedients proper of the present invention, for use with the kettle I0; comprise a kettle frame I3, a basket frame If and-alturn-over frame I5, conveniently' of V'metali and adapted to be associated as presently described whil'erbein'g separable selectively for thefpu'rposes indicated.

Tuning' rst to the kettle frame I3, this as heresho'wn comprises a pair of Z-beams I6 and I1 flxedly' spaced apart by straps IBLY The Z'v-beanis f6 andl' are angled in opposite" directions and have along their upper edges outwardly extending ilange's vI 9 and' 2Q and along their lower edgesinwardly extending anges 2l and 22, these latter flanges being thus directed `towardea'chr othr'to 'provide aA somewhat box-like' frame ofra size 'corresponding substantially to the inner dimensions of the topv of the'kettle I0 and being inserta'ble therein with theV frame anges |29 and 2Dresting'on the flange I2 of the kettle and supporting the` kettle frame' I3 within the upper regionsof thekettlel` just above the heating pipes Il, whenso inserted, the `kettle frame is acfapte'filto` receive the frying fat up to say the liquid level indicated by the broken line 23 (Fig. v3'), v

accordance with the y, present invention, vthe kettleffra'me I'3' is vertically grooved at lintervals spaced along'the be'ams 'I6 and YI'I as at .24, these grooves 'being here formed by spaced ribs or blocks 25 suitably secured as -by Iwelding to the beams. The blocks 25 extend downwardly Ato the anges A2| and 22` and upwardly to be'ush with theilang'es I9 and 20. Insertable by a downward.

sliding' movement into apair of grooves 24 formed on beams I6 and I1, respectively, is a. doughnut rovv divider 2G, of which there are four here shown', and'which', in this instance, divide the kettle frame I3 into three doughnut row receiving compartments. Each divider 26 includes a base 27 and uprights 28 at the end of the base, which latter slide snugly in the grooves 24 to permit the base 2l to be supported on the flanges 2| and 22, Fixed transversely of the kettle frame and in spaced apart relation on the base 2'1 of each dvider are upstanding guides 29 of which may be conveniently formed of a pair of spring steel strips 3U welded together at their top as at 3| and spread apart at their lower ends and riveted as at 32 to opposite sides ofthe divider or separator base 2I.

Further in accordance with the present invention, and as here shown in` this instance, the present embodiment includes next a basket frame I4 already referred to and which in this instance may comprise a pair of runners 33 xedly spaced apart by pairs of cross stringers 34 and 35 suitably secured thereto as by Welding or the like. Each pair lof cross stringers 34-35, of which there are here shown three such pairs, constitute hangers for a metal screen 36 suitably secured to the cross stringers of a pair. In this instance, as best seen in Figure 3, the cross stringers 34 and 35 are of angular formation including lapped laminations and the wire screen 36 may be advantageously clamped as at 31 .by its margins between these laminations.

The runners 33 of the basket I4 are of a length suchthat the basket frame may be received in the kettle frame and each screen andits supporting stringers 34-35-36 is of a width such that it may be receivedrbetween a Ypair of dividers 25, the dividers passing up through the spaces 38 between the screens so that the runners 33 may rest transversely on the divider bases 21. Each basket frame I4 may be provided with a pair of handles 39 by which it may be conveniently lowered into and lifted from the kettle frame I3 and from the relationship thereto just described. The handles 39 may be separable from the basket frame and clipped thereunder as at 39a.

Finally, in accordance with the present invention, the expedients here disclosed and in the present embodiment include the turn-over frame I5, alsoalready referred to. This turn-over frame I as-.here shown includes a plurality of, and in this instance three, U-shap'e vertical` struts 40,

'conveniently of'wire rod formation, and fastened togetherby vthe tie rods 4I and 42 to be somewhat rigidly secured together in the relationship described, the wire rod construction advantageously however having some yielding action as well as contributingto lightness and cleanability. The bights 43 of each of the U-struts 4U are at the lower end of the U and secured to these bights spaced therealong and extending angularly therefrom are a series of doughnut contacting ngers 44 desirably of loop formation having their otherwise free ends 44a welded as at 45 to the bight 43 and their outer ends rounded as at 46.

VThe fingers 44, in accordance with the present invention, extend angularly in two directions from the bight 4'3, namely in one direction which is downward from the plane of the bights, as best seen in Figure 3, and in another direction which is oblique to the bight as best seen in Figure 2, the purpose of which will be later pointed out, it beingY noted for the present that the entire turnover frame I5 is adapted to be lowered intothe kettleA Yframe I3, say after the basket frame I4 is also received therein, and each of the struts enteringA one of the compartments formed between dividers 26 and each of which, when the 4 Y Y basket frame I4 is therein, is Ybottomed by one of the screens 36. For this purpose, the distance between the upright portions of each strut 40 is just slightly less than the length of the stringers 34-35-36, and the spacing apart of the struts 40 by the tie rods 4I and 42 is such that each strut will register with one of the screens 36. In SO doing, the arrangement is such that the fingers 44 on each bight 43 of the struts 4I) are received as at 41 between a pair of guides 29, to guide the lingers into contact each with a doughnut as later more particularly described. Thus the guides 29 provide guides not only for the entry of the basket frame I4 into the kettle frame but also forY the entry of the turn-over frame I5 in a somewhat similar manner, and when the latter frame is so received the bights 43 for each row of doughnuts are also arranged to contact the doughnuts of a row, just after the fingers 44 have done so, at a portion ofthe doughnut spaced to one side of a line passing throughthe centers of the doughnuts in that row, also for a purpose more particularly later described.

it, is here timely repeint out that whiiafforf" present illustrative purposes, only three rows -of doughnuts are shown and only two Vdoughnutsin,V each row, bythe sectional arrangements of each of the kettle frame, basket frame, and turn-over frame, this is merely to exemplify the embodiment well as a greater number lof doughnuts, in each row. In any case, each section ofthe frames defines a row. Furthermore, with the SamesZe kettle frame here shown, alarger number of rows,` say four, could be provided for, by moving theY After the raw or uncooked doughnuts, which,`

are here indicated by the numeral 48, have been formed from the dough in the usual manner they.`

may be disposed in rows -upon the sections of v`a basket frame I4,Veac h screen 36 thereof dening, one section of the frame and therefore one row of the doughnuts. This is done of course before the basket frames are introduced into the frying kettle. yThe doughnuts are spaced apart in a row'; in any suitable manner but at least, desirably,

at a distance apart less than the diameter of the doughnut for the purpose of fully utilizing the space and also of contributing to the effective operation of the device as next described. The f doughnuts 48 may remain on the basket frame.

I4, say, when this has been lled with doughnuts as described, and until the dough is proofed or f raised to a suitable height. During this time the basket frame may be deposited in the usual-rack 1 containers. 1

When the doughnuts of a given basket frame have raised suitably, the basket frame may then be lowered into the kettle frame I3 as already explained and as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the

kettle frame at this time being immersed in the cooking liquid. Consequently, after an interval of cooking the doughnuts will float up fromthe Y,

screens-land; as at 40a, willvfloatfpartiallyvsub'- merged-upon the surface 'it'v of the hot fat, the temperature of which isdesirablymaintainedat approximately 350" while the doughnuts are frying.

When asumc'ient interval 'of time has-elapsed, say-,approximatelya minute, for frying the doughnuts-on oneside, the turn-over frame I5 is then lowered intoV thehlgettle fragile I3, the tie bars 4I conveniently serving as handles for the 'tm-.over-irameffor thispurpose. Aszthe', turnover frame is so lowered, 'as indicated by the, ar-v row 49 (Fig. 3), oneof the. angers 44. (of which it will be understood there are enough to contact all tlsexoughnuts in `a raw): will contact-the doughnutjust` belowit, and, by reason particularly or the .peculiar angularA arrangement of the iingerslkeach doughnut will be.v given a spinning or rotatiueas-indicated by the arrow 49a (Fig. 2), and t'hen as the bight 43 itself= vstrikes all of the4 doughnuts in its particular row, the doughnuts will be simultaneously inverted or turned over, as indicated by the yarrow 48h (Fig. 3) so that they will then fry on their reverse side. Since the doughnut rows are coniined by the dividers or separators 2E, and the doughnuts in a row are confined each by the other, lateral movements of the doughnuts is limited so that they are always in position to be contacted by the turn-'over frame.

By reason of it-he light contact of the fingers 44' with the doughnut and the spinning action thereby given to the doughnut, it has been found that it will turn over quickly and readily with a of agitation of the 'hot fat and a minilnum marking of the doughnut. In this lmanner all of the doughnuts in all of the rows are turned over Aat the salme time so that the cooking period for each doughnut is exactly the same and may thus be controlled to an exact period which contributes to the production of a highly edible and tender product, with minimum fat absorption anda substantial saving in cooking fat consumption, since fat absorption begins immediately :and proceeds rapidly as soon as the goods are done on that side. It is fat absorption that toughens the product and makes it less edible.

It is to be understood that during the frying of the doughnut on its reverse side as just described, the turn-over frame I5 will remain in the kettle, at this time occupying a position indicated, in ydotted lines in Figure 3, without interfering with the doughnuts, the bights 43 and their attached lingers 44 being below the doughnut and out of the way at this time. y

When the frying of the doughnut on its reverse side has ybeen completed, which again can be exactly timed for all of the doughnuts simultaneously, iirst the tum-over frame may be removed and then the basket frame I4 is lifted out of the kettle frame I3, by means of the handles 39, and also of course all of the doughnuts carried `on the basket yframe I4, and the basket frame is placed on the usual drain board where the excess fat runs back into the kettle.

It will .be understood that equipment in accordance with the present invention may comprise a quantity of the basket `frame I4 which may be successively introduced into the kettle.

The invention is not limited to details of construction -or sequence `of steps yof operation herein described for exemplication of the invention. Furthermore, it may not always be essential to the practice of the invention that all features thereof be usedconjointly and it intended Vto" ioe y'understoodY that various combinations vorY subcombinations Y mayyat timesV be advantageously includinga plurality of U-sh'ape vertical struts,

a vstrut having its bi-ght at its Ilower end and havinga` plurality of doughnut contact fingersspacedalong said .bight and extending angularly thereto, fand means connecting and spacing the lstruts to register with the rows respectively.

2,. In a doughnut cooking means'embodying `doughnut row forming means, a4 turn-over frame. including a, plurality ofj U-shape vertical struts, each strut'having its'bight at' its lower end and having a plurality of' doughnut contact viingers spaced along said bight and extending angularly thereto, and means connecting and spacing the struts to register with the rows respectively, wherein the said fingers are angled in both a downward direction and in a direction oblique to said bight and wherein Ithe row forming means is vertically slotted to receive said ngers to guide the downward movement of said turn-over frame.

3. In a doughnut cooking means embodying a sectional kettle frame adapted to be immersed in a frying liquid, said kettle frame comprising a pair of Z-beams having outwardly extending iianges along their upper edges and inwardly extending flanges along their lower edges, spaced apart members iixed along said beams on their inner faces between said flanges and providing pairs of registering slots at opposite sides of the frame, and divider members received in said slots to divide the frame into compartments, said divider members including a base, uprights at each end of the base, and spaced apart upstanding guides on said base.

4. In a doughnut cooking means embodying a sectional kettle frame adapted to be immersed in a frying liquid, said kettle frame having registering slots at opposite sides of the frame, and divider members received in said slots to divide the frame into compartments, said divider members including a base, uprights at each end of the base, and spaced apart upstanding guides, said guides comprising a pair of spring steel strips fixed on opposite sides of the base at their lower ends and fixedly brought together at their upper ends.

5. In a doughnut cooking means comprising a sectional kettle frame adapted to be immersed in a frying liquid, sections of said kettle frame being defined by an upstanding divider member carried thereby, a sectional basket frame adapted to be lowered into said kettle frame with sections of the basket frame received in sections of the kettle frame, sections of said basket frame being defined by laterally spaced apart foraminated members carried thereby, and a sectional turnover frame adapted to be received in the basket frame with sections of the turn-over frame received in sections of the kettle frame, sections of the turn-over frame being dened by downwardly extending laterally spaced apart members carried thereby, said frames being selectively separable.

6. In a doughnut cooking means comprising a sectional kettle frame adapted to be immersed in a frying liquid, sections of said kettle frame being defined by an upstanding divider member carried thereby, and a sectional basket frame received in sections of the kettle frame, sections of said basket frame being dened by laterally spaced basket frame being defined by laterally spaced apart foraminated members carried thereby, runners securing the sections of the basket frame together, and handles for the basket frame.

7. In a doughnut cooking means for use with doughnut row forming means, a turn-over frame including a plurality of loop-shape vertical struts, each strut comprising a bight at its lower end and having a plurality of doughnut Contact fingers spaced along said bight and extending angularly thereto, and means connecting and spacing the struts to register with the rows respectively, wherein the ngers are also loop-shape having bights at their outer ends. l

8. In a doughnut cooking means for use with doughnut row forming means, a turn-over frame including a plurality of vertical struts, each strut having a horizontally extending member at its lower end and having a plurality of doughnut contact fingers spaced along said horizontally extending member and extending angularly thereto, and means connecting and spacing the struts to register with the rows respectively, wherein the said fingers are angled in both a downward direction and in a direction oblique to said bight.

CARL J. HORNKOHL.

FREELAND H. LESLIE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 980,246 Graham Jan. 3, 1911 1,918,287 Pieri July 18, 1933 2,202,602 Ruch May 28, 1940 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country v Date 25,352 Great Britain Nov. 14, 1911 Certicate of Correction Patent No. 2,450,962. October 12, 1948.

` CARL J. HORNKOHL ET AL.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows:

Column 7, line 4, claim 6, strike out basket frame being defined by laterally spaced; and that the Said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Oce.

Signed and sealed this 4th day of January, A. D. 1949.

[BML] THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant 'ommzssz'oner of Patents.

Certificate of Correction Patent N0. 2,450,962.

October 12, 1948.

CARL J. HORNKOHL ET AL.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above Column 7 spaced line 4, claim 6,

strike out basket frame being defined by lateraily and that the said Letters Patent should be read With this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Signed and sealed this 4th Patent Oce. day of January, A. I). 1949.

THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant Commissioner of Patents. 

